Stafford Upgrade Under Way

[LNW-GW Joint]

Looks like work has already started on this major project:
http://www.networkrailmediacentre.c...tage-of-250m-Stafford-rail-improvements-begin

Three phases:
1 - 75-100mph linespeed upgrade Crewe-Norton Bridge (from now until Apr 2014)
2 - Stafford resignalling/remodelling and 100mph linespeed upgrade to Norton Bridge (2014-15)
3 - 100mph Norton Bridge deviation/flyover (not yet authorised - 2014-17 planned)

The Stafford resignalling will become part of Rugby SCC's area.
Currently Stoke SCC controls the old Colwich area, so unless that stretch is transferred to Rugby there will be a gap in Rugby's patch.
I'm sure that at one point Stoke was due to control all this area.

100mph on the slow lines Stafford-Crewe will be welcome, avoiding the dozy plod at 75mph currently.
I expect the LM Birmingham-Liverpool trains will be routed this way, leaving the fast lines clear for 125mph services.
As a long-time watcher of this route I am surprised it needs extra signals - for miles the slow line signals are on the same gantries as the fast.
And a pity they could not match the new 110mph top speed on the 350s.

Over the years, the conflicts at Norton Bridge have got worse and worse.
In the old days you never got delayed, but today it is unusual to negotiate Norton Bridge southbound without a severe signal check.
On top of that there is a 50mph restriction over the junction (was 90mph) because it is so difficult to maintain its spec.
Be good to see all that go.

 

[jamess]

Friend of mine is the Project Manager for NR on this job. In the past he has mentioned the need to have 4 Banner repeaters installed. Could it be this?

 

[The Planner]

Nice spin on it, sod all is happening at Stafford apart from a like for like re-signalling really. You get a new down goods loop and a bit of extra functionality for the platforms. The 100mph runs from Doxey (which they are leaving alone). They are also looking at getting Norton Bridge done for Aug 2016 now. 110mph on the slows wasn't justified as the time savings weren't substantial enough and the 100mph delivers what is required from it.

 

[MichaelAMW]

Over the years, the conflicts at Norton Bridge have got worse and worse.
In the old days you never got delayed, but today it is unusual to negotiate Norton Bridge southbound without a severe signal check.
On top of that there is a 50mph restriction over the junction (was 90mph) because it is so difficult to maintain its spec.
Be good to see all that go.

Are you saying that there is a 50mph PSR over the diamond between the down Manchester and the up fast? I can't imagine Virgin Trains like that kind of thing...

 

[The Planner]

It is a 90mph fixed diamond but has a 70mph TSR on it which NR are wanting to make semi-permanent (ie: until Norton Bridge gets done).